Music: {allcanada} JACKSON, ARGONAUTS EARN WIN AS BOMBERS PLAYOFF HOPES FADE

Saturday, September 29, 2012

{allcanada} JACKSON, ARGONAUTS EARN WIN AS BOMBERS PLAYOFF HOPES FADE

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WINNIPEG -- Jarious Jackson ran for one touchdown and passed for another as the Toronto Argonauts scored 21 unanswered points in the first quarter Saturday to defeat the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 29-10.

It was make or break time for the Bombers, who fell to 3-10 and watched any hope of a CFL playoff shot all but vanish.

The first quarter sealed their fate. The Argos (7-6) had possession of the ball for 12:28 to just 2:32 for Winnipeg.

Jackson, who finished 17-for-28 and 155 yards passing, looked confident in his first start since Ricky Ray was injured last week in Montreal. Ray was on the sidelines and looked fit.

The Argos also had to thank the Bombers for the three penalties that kept their first drive alive on the Winnipeg goal line.

Jackson finally ran it over just past the seven-minute mark to conclude a 15-play drive that occupied half the quarter.

Marcus Ball intercepted a Buck Pierce pass less than two minutes later to make it 14-0.

The Bombers thought they had returned the favour on a 67-yard fumble return by Kenny Mainor, but even though the convert was kicked the play was reviewed and Jackson's bobble was ruled an incomplete pass.

Pierce had his bell rung on a late hit and left the field at the end of the quarter. Joey Elliott came in for a few plays before Pierce was able to return, although he would leave again later.

The Bombers were more successful in the second quarter, picking up a touchdown on Pierce's 20-yard pass to Terrence Edwards and a 20-yard field goal from Justin Palardy.

But the Argos picked up another three points from Swayze Waters to make it 24-10 at the half.

He added another in the third as Elliott replaced Pierce for the rest of the game.

Toronto added a couple of singles in the fourth. The Bombers best drives ended when Elliott's passes into the endzone were intercepted twice, the last with no time left on the clock.

Notes: Toronto receiver/returner Chad Owens passed the 3,000 all-purpose yards mark for the third time in three years.